Wonka’s The Golden Ticket

Matt Roush says...

A “lifetime supply of money” (roughly $3 million paid out over 30 years) is the grand prize being dangled before the grown children at heart who step through the gates of Willy Wonka’s iconic Chocolate Factory in a lavish competition series marking the 55th anniversary of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The nostalgic homage includes a recreation of the late Gene Wilder‘s voice (approved by his estate) as an unseen Wonka invites 12 teams of two to enter a scrumptious land of pure imagination that’s good enough to eat. The impressive production design evokes a less lethal version of Squid Game as players are led by Oompa Loompas (including Rusty Goffe from the 1971 movie) into warped challenges involving life-size gumballs and sadistic Wonkavision 2.0 versions of classic TV games including a Wheel of Misfortune hosted by a remote version of Nick Cannon. (Veteran TV hosts Wayne Brady and Howie Mandel show up later). The eliminations can be emotionally brutal when players are suddenly ejected from this fantasyland. Following a seven-episode season, a winner will emerge in the two-part finale on September 30.

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